Ramsgate manager Ben Smith takes responsibility after league leaders lose unbeaten home record | Skipper Mike West launches fundraising campaign for shoulder surgery

Manager Ben Smith says he’s to blame for Ramsgate’s first home defeat of the season.

Rams lost 2-0 to struggling Merstham at Southwood on Saturday, with their lead at the top of Isthmian South East down to two points.

They’ve made a habit of fighting back from two goals down this season but it caught up with them at the weekend.

Smith immediately took responsibility for the defeat.

“You can’t keep going 2-0 down and getting away with it,” said the Rams boss, who saw last night's game at Horndean postponed

“Sometimes this season I’ve made some good calls, tactically, but I got it completely wrong on Saturday and it didn’t allow us a chance to get a foothold in the game.

“I got the balance of the side wrong. We changed shape again and I think chopping and changing isn’t great.

“In possession and out of possession we were asking them to do certain things but I got it wrong and gave the team a mountain to climb, so that’s on me.

“I thought the players acquitted themselves well but it’s fine details and the fine details that went against us were down to me.

“We were pushing for the goal and sometimes you just have to stay calm.

“If you’re calm and patient, at some point you’re going to get that chance, but I thought we forced everything and that comes from me and the decisions I made.”

Donations have been pouring in to help injured captain Mike West as he looks to raise £9,000 for shoulder surgery, with medical insurance failing to get anywhere near covering the cost.

West has launched a fundraising page, which has generated £3,740 in its first week, including donations of £1,000 and £500.

The club are also helping out with various fundraising activities to help the 32-year-old, who was injured after landing awkwardly in a